The three found themselves coiled around the tree trunks, their satchels ready to burst but their appetites far from sated.

It seemed, however, that time was no longer on their side. Storm grumbled, his dark grey pelt a shadow in the dimming light of the tropical sunset. Glaring over at Copper and Titan, he scowled, "We shoulda fuckin' left when them fuckers first arrived, I done told ya." They'd been in hiding for weeks now, plucking what goods they could while still remaining undercover, but their scents couldn't stay hidden anymore. They were being tracked. "Now we're done fucked." Deep, seething hisses.

Copper watched as her grey companion paced around the palm tree, her silver white eyes glaring with heavy judgement and little patience as she lay under some giant plant, its leaves acting as a canopy for her. With her own satchels neatly tucked beneath her belly, she found little reason to move - such trust between business partners. "So you've said before, Storm. We will just wait until nightfall and make our move the--"

"Get yer head outta the sand and calm your damn teats, Storm!" Titan had never been one to be coy, and his pale, brindled form had little hope of camouflage in these dense jungles. He, too, hovered over his goods like a mother over her new babe, though with his size he was confident enough to take a step here or there to show Storm he meant business. For days that fucking bastard had been running his mouth, and it all but drove Titan running off the cliff. "Chick here's got a plan, we gonna stick to it!" He noticed a small nod from Copper, though her eyes shot daggers. Like he could care. With a huff and a puff he sat back down by his goods, hiding in the shadows of the cluster of palms.

They were determined to run out the clock...

... but it seemed they would meet their new neighbors sooner than expected. Copper was the one to notice, her thin ears pricking up at the sound of someone's approach. The grey male was too busy muttering to himself, pacing, to realize. Titan only noticed through the dappled girl, his gaze slowly shifting. Someone was coming... but from which direction?

Two of the three were prepared to flee, goods in tow.

"LOOTERS!"

He heard the call from the beach, and immediately felt a wave of vexation. Looters? On his island? It was apparently more likely than he had thought. No one would have dared, months ago, years ago even, but evidently their once mighty kingdom had fallen. With a sigh of tired exasperation, Richter pulled a lit torch from his fire and set off in the direction of the call. He ran, guessing at where the chase might spit out, and listened for more telltale signs of pursuit over the cackling flame next to his face.

As he came upon the sounds of multiple wolves crashing through the jungle, he paused for a moment to take stock of the situation. There appeared to be three looters, and three Tortugans already finding their dance partners. Richter grinned, a twisted smile around his bared torch, and darted in an arc towards the two looters attempting to escape. There was only one way off this island that didn't involve going for a swim, and what better barrier than a wolfdog with a flaming stick?

It seemed the lion had much the same idea, spreading himself out in front of the female looter. Richter took up position in front of the brown female looter as well, with just enough distance between him and the lion that she might think about attempting to escape between them. He didn't particularly want her to try - the acrid smell of scorched fur and flesh was something he'd had enough of, frankly - but if she did, she'd be courting attacks from not one but two Tortugans. Almost an ambush, without the surprise.

Looters, he scoffed to himself. What a time we live in.

"LOOTERS!"

It was enough to send their hearts racing, adrenaline pumping into their veins almost instantaneously, as the echo boomed through the territory. It was terrifyingly close. While Storm had been so distracted that this call simply brought him to attention, Titan and Copper had darted into the foliage immediately. Their trio's companionship was at an end - it was every wolf for themself now.

Storm noticed only two late that his comrades had abandoned him, their riches taken with them. In a moment of panic, he glanced around in a frenzy trying to locate his own so as to also leave, but by the time he saw his satchel tucked under some leaning boulder, a massive beast broke through the foliage, her wild eyes focused on him. A yelp of terror as he scattered into the weeds, desperate to evade the locals and their fangs. Jaws snapped and nipped at his heels as he broke away, and for a split second he thought he was free. He let out a chuckle of relief too soon, and felt the sharp pain of teeth against flesh, his tail snagged half-way down and promptly torn off.

In a mad scramble he blundered and continued to flee, wretched sobs now where his laughter had been only mere seconds ago.

--

Titan had left the fool behind to perish and felt no shame over it - their partnership demanded no hero's sacrifice. It was simply for the money. He couldn't cash in when he was dead. While the female had taken to approach their land-bridge escape from the eastern point, Titan had moved so as to approach from its western ridges, hoping their distance would throw off their pursuers. Much to his frustration, a black and grey and white female soon came up behind him, almost rabid in her pursuit. At first he leapt this way or that, but she kept in tow. Growling fiercely under his breath, he glared through his peripheries as she came up to his five o'clock. He knew what she was doing...

The moment she lunged in to try and knock into him, the brute whirled around and turned his fangs upon her, leaving his satchel for the dust if it meant he could live. Meeting her shove head on, he sent them both into a tumble, and hoped his ferocity would catch her off-guard. Snapping fangs and swiftly kicking his rear legs, stunning her was his goal, perhaps even knocking her head around a bit. All he wanted was to stop her so he could continue. If he successfully managed to stun the bitch, he'd turn tail and bound off, aiming for the land bridge with a dangerous desperation. No one would be stopping him today.

--

Copper had left instantly, hearing the danger before it had announced itself, and made for the quickest route off the islands. As the smallest, and with her satchel held in her mouth, there was no reason for her to risk staying one millisecond longer than necessary. She was at the obvious disadvantage. And yet, much to her luck, she ended up with not a pursuer, but a fucking lion acting as a barrier. She would not panic, that was beneath her. Keeping her cool, the fox-like girl dove for the thickest part of the jungle vegetation, while still trying to pursue her southerly course.

If luck stayed on her side, the lion would not be able to find any way into the thick, difficult-to-maneuver vines and tangled trees that she chose as her diversion. If, for whatever reason, he dared to plunge into the depths, she'd have no choice but to leap out of his path for damage, heading for the open clearing as quickly as possible. Heading south. Heading.... into the fire.  Bright eyes widened in momentary terror at the sight of that wolf wielding flames. The satchel almost slipped from her fang. The fuck kind of monsters lived here? Turning around quickly, Copper plunged into the thickets, trying to find the darkest shadows under which she could hide and recollect her planning. Through bitter eyes she'd stare down the two locals, the ones who blocked her way.

A shallow, gurgling growl.